A targeted shooting at a Rhode Island ice rink has left two people dead and three others critically injured in what authorities are calling a family dispute gone tragically wrong.
The incident occurred at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket around 2:30 p.m. on February 16, 2026, when 56-year-old Robert Dorgan — also known as Roberta Esposito — opened fire before turning the gun on himself, according to police. Among the deceased were Dorgan’s ex-wife and son, in what appears to be a premeditated attack at the public facility.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed the targeted nature of the shooting, telling reporters, “It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute.” The violence unfolded during what would typically be a busy afternoon at the community ice arena.
What stopped the carnage from being even worse? Investigators credit an unidentified bystander who intervened during the attack. “A good Samaritan stepped in and interjected in the scene, and that’s probably what led to a swift end of this tragic event,” authorities stated during a press briefing following the incident.
Investigation Ongoing
Law enforcement has been piecing together the sequence of events by interviewing nearly 100 witnesses who were present at the arena. The shooting sent panic through the facility, with families and children scrambling for safety as shots rang out across the ice rink.
The three surviving victims remain in critical condition at local hospitals. Their identities haven’t been released, though sources indicate they may also have family connections to the shooter.
Dorgan, who also went by the name Roberta Esposito, had a history with the victims that investigators are still uncovering. The relationship between the shooter and the victims appears to have been volatile, with the attack potentially stemming from ongoing disputes, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the case.
The community has been left reeling. “This is supposed to be a place where kids play hockey and families gather,” said one witness who asked not to be identified. “Nobody expects to see something like this here — not in Pawtucket.”
Local officials have promised additional resources for those affected by the tragedy, including counseling services for witnesses and family members. The Dennis M. Lynch Arena will remain closed indefinitely as the investigation continues.
The incident has already reignited discussions about security measures at public recreational facilities throughout the region. Several neighboring communities have announced plans to review their own safety protocols in the wake of the shooting.
For now, a makeshift memorial of flowers and hockey sticks has begun forming outside the arena — a somber reminder of lives cut short in a place meant for joy and recreation.
